The same day Beijing appointed ‘TAR’ communist party chief Zhang Qingli called for a severe crackdown on the Dalai Lama’s activities, the Tibetan spiritual leader was honoured at the United States Congress with an award for his services to the humanity.

At a function July 13 in the Capitol Hill complex, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was presented with the Mother Teresa International Caring Award for ‘dedicating his life to promoting the values of caring, compassion and public service’.

On behalf of the Caring Institute, Co-Chairs of the Caring Institute, Senators Tom Daschle and Bob Dole along with Caring Institute Founder and Executive Director Val J. Halamandaris presented the award.

“His Holiness is driven by a sincere compassion for people,” said Senator Dole. “No one better personifies the value of caring than you. Caring is, after all, a synonym for compassion – a value which is central to your religion. You have devoted your life to promoting this value worldwide.”

The Caring Institute founded in 1985 promotes the values of caring, integrity, and public service and celebrates individuals who devote their lives in the service of others. Former recipients include Mother Teresa, Patch Adams, Lance Armstrong and the late senator Edward Kennedy.

Earlier in the morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama met members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at the Capitol.

Senator John Kerry formally welcomed His Holiness and expressed his admiration and respect for the Tibetan leader. Citing the 2007 Congressional Gold Medal, Senator Kerry said that His Holiness enjoyed the ‘greatest respect’ in the US Congress.

In his remarks, His Holiness explained the devolution of his authority and spoke about increasing control in the Tibetan people’s ability to preserve and promote their identity and culture in Tibet.